Miramar College

AMBULANCE DONATION ADDS DIMENSION TO FIRE TECH/EMT TRAINING

Miramar College President P. Wesley Lundburg (center) and Dean of Public Safety Gail Warner (far left) pose with members of Falck Emergency Services during a Sept. 11 ambulance donation ceremony.

The San Diego Miramar College Fire Tech/ EMT program accepted a donation of a MercedesBenz ambulance from Falck Emergency Services in remembrance of fallen first responders during its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. Miramar College offers an accredited Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program that prepares students for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-EMT examination. Falck presented the keys with leaders from the company personally delivering the vehicle to the college.

“This is really going to add on another dimension to our students’ training,” said Mary Kjartanson, EMT program director at San Diego Miramar College. “It will allow us to contextualize their learning more by providing a legitimate experience and doing assessments in the back of an ambulance. So, we are delighted and grateful for all that Falck has done for us.”

The donated vehicle will provide students pursuing a career as a first responder with interactive and firsthand experience in emergency medical transportation scenarios.

“Falck is dedicated to enhancing the education and development of the future EMT and Paramedic workforce, and acknowledging the responsibility and sacrifice of all first responders,” said Falck’s Director of Clinical Operations, Dannie Wurtz. “Having more experienced students and instructors will not only benefit the college but the San Diego region at large. These ambulances will help ensure that students are trained on the latest equipment and graduate their programs prepared to address patients right away.”

The ambulance is stocked with basic equipment to bring realistic training to the classroom, expanding training from the classroom to an action-based setting. The vehicles will be used for hands-on simulation training with students as they gain an understanding of the life-saving equipment and techniques used by professionals in the limited space inside an ambulance.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miramar College has implemented remote learning platforms, with opportunities for in-person and safely distant hands-on training. The vehicle is expected to generate excitement among the students and become a vital component in their education. As a global leader in emergency medical and ambulance services, Falck is committed to safeguarding the health of patients, members of the public, and its workforce of paramedics, EMTs, registered nurses and physicians.

The delivery of the ambulance included a brief and safely distanced ceremony, incorporating CDC guidelines in accordance with appropriate protocols. As part of its annual 9/11 Remembrance event, the Miramar College program included a speech from retired San Diego Fire Department Captain and Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 8 Member Ron Edrozo. Prior to his speech there was a flag lowering, ceremonial bell ringing, and the playing of live bagpipes.